Immediately following the Paris attacks of November 13, France announced the prohibition of mass marches in cities across the country. Large rallies scheduled for November 29 and December 12 in Paris during the UN climate conference there have been forbidden due to this new ban.

Environmental activists say that freedom of assembly is important due to our climate emergency and that citizens' voices need to be loudly heard. French rally mobilizers are asking why sporting events and Christmas markets are being permitted while demonstrations are not. The French coalition "Climat 21" (Climate 21) made plans to organize a human chain along the planned march route in order to circumvent the government ban. In a media release they said, "To all those who want to prevent us from expressing ourselves, we say with unity and solidarity we want to live together on a just and livable earth."

Meanwhile in Northern California, climate activists marched in Oakland and Santa Cruz during the weekend of November 21-22 in a lead-up to the Paris climate summit, and more events are planned.

Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | Climate change protests for November 29 and December 12 banned in Paris and France | Activists vow to mobilise at Paris #COP21 climate change summit despite protest ban | Sidewalk human chain proposed for route of banned Paris Climate march on Sunday | Melbourne sends a climate action message to Paris UN negotiators at COP21

Upcoming Events in Santa Cruz: 12/6 and 12/12